Abstract
Potassium (K) fertilizer closely affects both above-ground biomass production and radiocesium-137 (137Cs) uptake by plants from Cs-contaminated soil. Here we investigated the effects of low levels of K on aboveground biomass, 137Cs concentration, and 137Cs removal ratio (CR) using Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). Experimental plots fertilized with either 2 g K (20% K) or 6 g K (60% K) per m2 were compared with that with no K fertilization (0% K) under low-, medium-, and high-density planting conditions. As a result, with increasing amounts of K fertilizer, the aboveground biomass of Napier grass tended to increase, and the 137Cs concentration significantly decreased. The greatest CR was observed at the plot fertilized with 20% K and with plants grown under highly dense conditions. CR was positively correlated with biomass in all the experimental plots. Moreover, a positive correlation between CR and 137Cs concentration was found only at low levels of K application (0% and 20% K). In the present study, the application of 20% K produced more aboveground biomass and smaller decreases in 137Cs concentration in Napier grass compared with those with 0% K application; therefore, applying a fertilizer with low levels of K, such as 20% K, is better for 137Cs decontamination than applying 0% or 60% K fertilizer.
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Kang, DJ., Tazoe, H., Ishii, Y. et al. Effect of Fertilizer with Low Levels of Potassium on Radiocesium-137 Decontamination. J. Crop Sci. Biotechnol. 21, 113–119 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-018-0054-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-018-0054-0